DIRECT INTERACTIVE INSTRUCTION 8 Characteristics

Direct Instruction Research Based High achieving schools have been found to consistently implement Direct Instruction There are 8 Characteristics of Direct Instruction

CHARACTERISTIC #1 Standards and Objectives are clearly and explicitly stated for every exercise for both teacher and students.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #1 Standards and Objectives are clearly and explicitly stated for every exercise for both teacher and students. Clearly state the lesson’s goal and related standard and be sure to reference them throughout the lesson Students might state the lesson objective in the first person to personalize the objective and articulate it in specific terms Oral Cloze or Student Read Color coded ‘high frequency’ and ‘academic vocabulary’ terms Post a lesson agenda to provide students with a ‘road map’ for learning

CHARACTERISTIC #2 There is continuous and intensive interaction and communication between teacher and student.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic # 2 There is continuous and intensive interaction and communication between teacher and student. Key concepts for this characteristic are continuous and intensive communication Engaging learning strategies are pivotal in this endeavor: Direct Instruction Kinsella Strategies Thinking Maps ALS Graphic Organizers Reciprocal Teaching

CHARACTERISTIC #3 Instructional communication is predetermined.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #3 Instructional communication is predetermined. The focus is providing the students with clear expectations of what they need to do for ALL types of classroom activities and/or interactions. Verbal & Non-Verbal Cues Classroom Management…moving students from one activity to the next, one strategy to the next, or into a desired behavior. Examples: Moving in & out of a Think-Pair-Share Rating Level of Understanding (fist-to-five, thumbs up/down, etc.) Preparing for (or transitioning into) a lesson Group Jobs/Expectations Refocusing Sharing Information

CHARACTERISTIC #4 During the structured/scripted dialogue teacher wordings and demonstration are unambiguous.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #4 During the structured/scripted dialogue teacher wordings and demonstration are unambiguous. The Key concept is: Planning!!! Planning!!! Planning!!! Procedures, expectations, and conceptual presentations are clear and easily understood. Understanding the level of your students. The method of conveying the concept isn’t above the level of the learner. The activities and teacher samples are easily transferred to the students.

CHARACTERISTIC #5 Students participate in a sequence of short, quick-paced interactive exercises.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #5 Students participate in a sequence of short, quick-paced interactive exercises. Student/teacher interaction should be frequent and short. Thirty seconds is an ideal time frame for students to share ideas. Strategies to engage students might include: Oral Cloze Think Pair Share Choral Response Word wall interaction Idea Wave or Pass It On Choral Reading Whip Around Whiteboard Responses

CHARACTERISTIC #6 Teacher reinforces student learning with explicit procedures.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #6 Teacher reinforces student learning with explicit procedures. There are clearly defined expectations for all aspects of the students time in class. The teacher reinforces any academic success with positive, confidence building, and consistent routines. The procedures MUST be specific to the Behavior you want to reinforce!

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #6 Teacher reinforces student learning with explicit procedures. The expectations may included: Entering and/or Exiting the room Preparing for the lesson Student Agenda Warm-Up and/or Wrap-Up TPS/Cooperative Learning Note Taking/Outline Sharing Out Information Paper Heading Homework Reading for Understanding (Reciprocal Teaching Skills)

CHARACTERISTIC #7 Students receive immediate correctives and feedback from teacher.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #7 Students receive immediate correctives and feedback from teacher. Key concept is that both the corrective and feedback are immediate. When an error is made the teacher ensures that the student’s incorrect answer is immediately reinforced with the CORRECT answer! Immediately go to another student for the correct answer, then back to the first student and ask them the question again.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #7 Students receive immediate correctives and feedback from teacher. There are 4 types of errors that require immediate correctives and feedback: Memory Error Motor Error Process Error Discrimination Error

CHARACTERISTIC #8 Throughout the lesson, there is a high level of intensity and a high level of orientation for success.

Direct Instruction: Characteristic #8 Throughout the lesson, there is a high level of intensity and a high level of orientation for success. The key ideas of this component are intensity and orientation for success. Articulating clear expectations for all students and holding students accountable for their individual learning and for teacher expectations is key. Consistent and efficient classroom management techniques.